Our History
A Legacy of Leadership, Service, and Transformational Impact
Over two decades of fostering educational opportunities, developing leaders, and creating enduring change across communities worldwide.
A Man of Vision, Perseverance, and Generosity
Born eight years before the Great Depression to a blind doctor and a hardworking mother, Charlie developed an unwavering sense of personal responsibility, work ethic, and integrity—values that would define his life and legacy. His early experiences of hardship and resilience shaped his commitment to serving others and laid the foundation for a lifetime of leadership, giving, and service.
After putting himself through college on a track and football scholarship and serving as a PT Boat Commander alongside fellow officer John F. Kennedy in World War II, Charlie embarked on a successful career in sales and business, with further training at Harvard Business School.
His leadership abilities and entrepreneurial spirit allowed him to rise through the ranks to senior executive leadership positions, eventually leading him into ventures in real estate, banking, and direct investments. While Charlie achieved considerable professional success, his greatest passion remained rooted in service and giving back to the community. He believed that true leadership was defined by how one lifted others.
Charlie’s Philanthropy Focused On Fostering:
Educational Opportunities
Leadership Development
Technical Training
He was a dedicated fundraiser and benefactor for institutions such as the Wayzata Community Church, Dunwoody Institute of Technology, Gustavus Adolphus College (serving on the Board of Trustees), and Children’s HeartLink.
His civic involvement also extended into the political sphere. He served as a finance chair and strategist for several U.S. Senators, Minnesota Governors, and four U.S. Presidents. His work behind the scenes helped shape policies and funding priorities supporting education, leadership, and community development.
"Success is not measured by wealth and power, but by ones ability to create opportunities for others"
– C. Charles Jackson
His influence reached countless individuals who carried his lessons of perseverance, generosity, and strategic leadership into their own lives and careers. Upon his passing, the C. Charles Jackson Foundation (CCJF) was established to honor his legacy—not through rigid directives but with a broad mission to inspire education, leadership, and community development.
Carrying Forward the Legacy:
Dr. Bruce H. Jackson
Charlie's son, Dr. Bruce H. Jackson, was entrusted with building a foundation that would extend his father’s legacy into new domains. A globally recognized scholar, strategist, and leadership performance expert, Bruce brought a unique combination of academic rigor and practical expertise to the foundation.
Holding a Ph.D. in Human & Organizational Systems and an MPA from Harvard University (John F. Kennedy School of Government), Bruce complemented his academic credentials with multiple master’s degrees in psychology, business administration, organizational development, and public administration. His diverse academic background laid the groundwork for his work with global scientific and medical associations, Fortune 500 companies, leading universities, nonprofit organizations, and foundations.
Career Dedication & Research Excellence
Bruce's career has been dedicated to developing human potential, developing relationships and teams, and improving organizational effectiveness. As a leadership strategist, he has worked with first-generation students, early-career professionals, senior executives, and public servants across industries and sectors, helping them leverage their strengths, navigate challenges, and achieve sustainable success. His groundbreaking research on Attentional Leadership® Theory has shaped how leaders approach focus, influence, and decision-making in high-pressure environments within purpose-driven organizations.
Personal Commitment to Service
Beyond his professional achievements, Bruce's commitment to service has remained deeply personal. He has devoted his career to empowering individuals to lead with purpose, integrating evidence-based research with real-world application. Under his leadership, CCJF has expanded its value and reach, funding and serving projects that foster leader, team, and organization development and institutional growth across the United States and globally.
The Strategic Arsonist Vision
Bruce envisioned CCJF as a "strategic arsonist," sparking transformational change through well-placed, high impact grants. He believed that strategic, timely support could catalyze meaningful change and drive long term, scalable impact. His vision has ensured that CCJF's resources are not just distributed but are leveraged through personal involvement for maximum effectiveness and sustainability.
CCJF’s History and Strategic Evolution
A 23-year journey of leadership development and educational innovation
Foundation Overview
Since its inception in 2003, the C. Charles Jackson Foundation (CCJF) has served as a catalyst for leadership development and educational innovation. Over 22 years, CCJF has awarded grants to 190 programs and organizations across various sectors, including higher education, school systems, nonprofit organizations, and global initiatives. The foundation's mission is anchored in fostering leadership excellence via personal, interpersonal, team, organization, and community development, and engagement.
Higher Education Leadership
CCJF's early focus was on supporting institutions of higher education that aligned with its mission. Notable beneficiaries include the University of Minnesota, Harvard University, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Gustavus Adolphus College, Dunwoody Institute, Carleton College, and Cornell University. The foundation's grants supported the development of leadership centers, innovative curricula, and cutting-edge research. These investments led to the establishment of national think tanks, leadership conferences, speaking & lecture series, and research initiatives that continue to influence leadership education today.
K-12 Expansion
The foundation also expanded its impact into K-12 education, supporting leadership programs that integrate leadership development into early education curricula. Grants have been awarded to programs in the Wayzata Public School District, Synergy & Leadership Exchange, and The Leader in Me program, and various private institutions, fostering student leadership and professional development for students and educators.
Nonprofit Partnerships
Nonprofit partnerships have been central to CCJF's strategy, supporting organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bolder Options, Inner City Tennis, Youth Frontiers, Youth and Families Determined to Succeed, and a partnership between Scouting Base Camp and NASA. These initiatives focus on mentorship, life-skills training, simulations, experiential education, and leadership development for underserved communities, fostering resilience and empowering young leaders to perform, lead, and serve.
Community Organizations
CCJF's support for faith-based and community organizations, such as Wayzata Community Church, The Arc Minnesota, and CommonBond Communities, has reinforced service-based leadership models and strengthened community ties.
Future Vision
Geographic Reach and Global Impact
The foundation's grants have had a regional, national, and international impact. Minnesota remains the primary recipient in the United States, with over 321 grants awarded. Nationally, significant investments have been made in Utah (28 grants), New York (13 grants), California (12 grants), and Massachusetts (12 grants). CCJF has extended its influence internationally to Ghana, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe, supporting leadership education in underserved global communities.
522
Grants Awarded
137
Organizations Supported
23
Years of Impact
OUR innovation engine
Charlie Life & Leadership Academy
Charlie Academy identifies neglected problems in leadership education, creates practical and reusable solutions, and scales tools, methods, and emerging resources for a global learning community.
Through Charlie Academy, we translate research into accessible programs, digital learning experiences, and leadership technologies that expand equitable access to high-quality leadership development.
Looking Toward the Future
CCJF remains committed to expanding leadership education across regional, national, and global platforms. Future priorities include growing leadership centers, advancing cutting-edge research, and forming strategic partnerships that align with the foundation's mission. The foundation's emphasis on measurable outcomes, innovation, and sustainable growth ensures its continued influence on the next generation of leaders.
"CCJF is poised to leave a lasting legacy of leadership development, personal growth, and social responsibility by understanding our past, engaging with the present, and envisioning the future. Through strategic giving, collaborative partnerships, and a commitment to excellence, the foundation will continue to inspire and empower individuals and institutions for generations to come."
Our Approach
Leveraging Great Minds & People to Advance the Work
CCJF is a nimble and agile foundation that seeks out opportunities to help universities, colleges, schools, nonprofits, foundations, and other purpose-driven organizations to help prepare our next generation for the rigors of the 21st Century and beyond. As such, we leverage a passionate Board of Trustees and Advisory Board members to support our work and to bring their gifts and talents to the foundation to identify diverse and profound needs and opportunities.
CCJF is grateful to the governing bodies that support both the foundation and Charlie Academy and looks forward to engaging and serving those institutions and programs that will make the biggest difference in the lives of young people.